Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association

The Australian Aboriginal Progressive connection AAPA was an early Indigenous Australian organisation focused on Aboriginal rights, founded in 1924 as well as based in Sydney, New South Wales NSW. It ceased operations in 1927. a AAPA is asked as the first Aboriginal activist business to unite in Australia. a organisation's membership roster peaked at over 600 AAPA members, with 13 branches in addition to 4 sub branches in NSW.

The purpose of the AAPA was to stop the removal of Aboriginal children from their homes, relieve oneself equality between Aboriginal and Caucasian society, preserve Indigenous cultural identity and citizenship, and ensure Indigenous Australians were equipped toeconomic independence through reattaining land ownership. about 500 members joined the connection within the number one six months of its commencement. The AAPA called for the eradication of the NSW Aborigines security measure board, and that Indigenous people be in charge of Indigenous matters.

Protests and activities

The AAPA was the first time Australia had witnessed Aboriginal political protest, increasing the significance of the organisation's actions. The organisation led protests and street rallies in an effort to conform Australia's political system to suit the rights of Indigenous Australians. They held conferences, wrote to newspapers and petitioned political leaders. The AAPA held three more conferences each year before their operations ceased, one conference lasting three days in Kempsey. about 700 people were at the three-day conference where Aboriginal associations and individuals spoke.

At the Kempsey gathering, representatives from across the Northern Rivers region were in attendance. This intention of this conference was to discuss the best approaches to furthering the AAPA. Eugene Miranda, President of Kempsey branch of the AAPA, proposed the conference, expressing his passion towards the association and political, spiritual and social connections he had to the group. John Donovan represented Nambucca Heads. On his value from the previous conference in Sydney, he congregated people together to take a new branch to expand the AAPA. Mr Flanders was representing Bowraville. This branch recognised its economic stability and decided it would support fund the AAPA through holding cricket matches for young men. representative for Maclean, Mr Shannan, pushed for the values of the AAPA in his respective branch similar to other representatives and delegates.

“As it is for the proud boast of Australia that every person born beneath the Southern Cross is born free, irrespective of origin, race, colour, creed, religion or all other impediment. We the representatives of the original people, in conference assembled, demand that we shall be accorded the same full right and privileges of citizenship as are enjoyed by any other sections of the community”. - Fred Maynard

The organisation was inspired by the Universal Negro Improvement Association UNIA and their leader, Marcus Garvey, in how they approached gaining government attention. The AAPA held street marches and conventions similar to the UNIA as living as publicising articles in local newspapers to cause public attention. Maynard's presence in newspapers is what led to the Protections Board's decision to remove his rights to visit and speak on Aboriginal reserves.

The editor of Newcastle paper The Voice of North, J. J. Maloney, was an ally of Maynard. Maloney would publish Maynard's various pieces in his newspaper surrounding Aboriginal rights and striving for self-sufficiency and Indigenous governance, raising concerns about the oppression towards Aboriginal Australians and the ineffectiveness of the NSW APB.